Fill up with 400 amps please!

October 17, 2016 | 00:00

Fill up with 400 amps please!

With their vehicles engulfing some 350 kW at the charging station, both Audi and Porsche underscored that charging infrastructure will be a main bottleneck. As a result, the first components for high-performance charging are starting to appear.

Realising that all of their EV models engulfe some 350 kW at the charging station, both Audi and Porsche underscored that charging infrastructure will be a main bottleneck. As a result of the walke-up call, the first components for high-performance charging are starting to appear.

Independently of one another, connector manufacturer ITT Cannon and cable systems provider Leoni introduced elements of a charging infrastructure capable of reducing the charging time to a few minutes. Leoni showcased the concept design of a charging station capable of charging an 85 kWh battery (like the one used in the Tesla S) within 15 minutes. Within three to five minutes, the battery can be charged for a range of some 100 kilometers.

During charging, 400 amps at 1000 volts are carried over the cable. Since conventional cables, dimensioned for lower currents, would overheat during the process, Leoni enables the current-carrying parts to be cooled actively.

ITT Cannon announced to introduce a similar charger designed to deliver up to 400 kW at 400 amps, also with relevant components cooled. Unlike Leoni, ITT Cannon provided technical details of its system: The high power density is facilitated by a dielectric cooling liquid that runs from the cable throughout the connector’s contact system.